I need you in the game… With officers laid off and furloughed, simply calling 911 and waiting is no longer your best option… You can beg for mercy from a violent criminal, hide under the bed, or you can fight back. … Consider taking a certified safety course in handling a firearm so you can defend yourself until we get there.
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Jr. via Wisconsin sheriff urges residents to arm themselves | Fox News.
What’s the proper response when someone tells you “I don’t believe in guns?” You know you should just walk away and not (verbally) engage…but why not have a little fun… maybe you’re bored… some times it’s just fun to poke the bear. I used to ask the person if he or she “believed in hammers and screwdrivers” but usually just got a blank stare. It’ no fun if you have to explain “they’re all tools, lady.”
The past year or so I’ve switched my response…when someone goes out to their way to tell me “I don’t believe in guns” my response is “that’s O.K., guns don’t believe in you either.” and then I walk away. It’s just a waste of everyone’s time to try to educate an unwilling student.
Maybe someday my enigmatic response will prompt the recipient to request additional information. If so I think I’ll lead with: “When seconds count the police are only minutes away.” I’ll follow that up with an eloquent version of “God made man but Samuel Colt made all men equal” tailored to my listener.
If I can tell that I haven’t yet won over my audience I’ll try this empathetic approach with a poignant ending…”it’d be nice if we could all just get along… but as long as criminals can veto your peace plan you should learn how to protect yourself and your family. Continue reading
Have you heard the news? The Federal Government wants U.S. citizens, especially youth to learn how to properly and safely fire a rifle. You can even buy your gun from the government.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) was chartered by Congress in 1903 specifically for these purposes and “any U.S. citizen who is legally not prohibited from owning a firearm may purchase a military surplus rifle from the CMP.” Continue reading
In Part 1 of the Top 10 Tips for Buying Your First Gun (published on Saturday) we discussed, in detail the first five steps I recommended to my brother-in-law and a few buddies the steps to buy their first firearm for home or self defense. I’ll outline those steps (italicized) here and proceed to explain steps six through ten. Please return to Part 1 to read about the first five steps in detail if you missed that article. Also remember that firearms regulations vary tremendously across the U.S. Make sure that you keep it legal.
1. Determine whether you are mentally capable of using lethal force to protect yourself and your loved ones.
2. Decide what type of firearm is right for your situation.
3. Learn the rules of gun safety.
4. Take a class or hire an individual instructor.
5. Decide how to safely store your firearm.
6. Purchase Your Gun: Your options include private purchase, gun shop/dealer, gun show or buying your gun from the government through the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP).
Today’s post is in response to a question from my brother-in-law (sister’s husband) who is considering the purchase of his first firearm for self and home defense. I’ve taken my brother-in-law shooting at the farm and he’s a great shot with a rifle… and has demonstrated an understanding of basic firearms safety. Unfortunately, he and my sister live several states away and his firearms experience is primarily limited to structured rifle ranges from summer camps he attended and worked for…so I’m limited to providing him advice instead of stepping through the process with him. Reviewing the advice I provide my brother-in-law may help you develop your own steps to responsible defensive firearms ownership.